Back to France, year 3, countdown

It used to be August was back to school time for me. Now it’s time to get ready to go back to France to resume my pilgrimage from LePuy en Velay to St Jean Pied de Port. Three weeks from today, God willing, I will start my walk again. The city of Moissac is where Elizabeth and I ended last year, and this old hotel offered kindness and comfort and delicious meals even when we were their only guests! I love that this spot is where I will begin my third section of my French pilgrim’s path.

Knowing the hotel I’m in the first night is wonderful. Knowing the train station is less than a mile away is helpful.

Knowing that the path leaves along the Tarn River, just outside my hotel window, and that my first day’s walk will be flat all help me look forward to this next leg of my journey with some confidence.

I hope to make it all the way to Spain, at least placing my hiking boot over the border. Some people go all the way from Le Puy en Velay in south-central France to Santiago in Western Spain in one thousand-mile hike. Me? It’s taken me 2 years to get about 250 miles down the way. This year I will cover about another 250 and, if all goes well, before October, will say, “I did it.” I’m giving myself plenty of time; I know it’s not a race. “Everyone walks their own Camino,” as they all say. I love each day’s walk and each little village, so much that I’m staying two nights in some of the towns, so I can rest my weary legs, read local history, meet fellow pilgrims & innkeepers, and soak in more of the French language.

But before I leave, I have to get my house in order, my heart in the right place, and say good bye to family and friends and my beloved new volunteer endeavor. Gardening this summer at the Creighton University Retreat Center (near Griswold), and having a super bountiful crop of veggies makes me so happy! I’ve learned that gardening isn’t hard-you just plant the seeds, put in the plants, and they grow! That quote came from Tim the former farmer/now maintenance man here who helped prepare the soil and repaired the garden fence. Of course there’s a bit more to it, but tending a small vegetable garden this summer and giving some of my time has brought me great joy. I appreciate what gardeners do more than ever. In France, I will understand a bit more what is going on with gardens and fresh produce. And as I greatly appreciate what our cooks here do with my produce, so I will appreciate all of the delicious foods along le Chemin (the pilgrims path).

After next week, others will continue the harvest. Especially more tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and later: winter squash and pumpkins. I’m thankful for having had this opportunity to work with the land and help good stuff grow! Joy is finding your first red tomato!

I leave September 4 from Chicago. It is hard to believe that three weeks from today I will be hiking from Moissac to Auvillar ( just 11 miles). I hope to reflect daily and share with others. What makes a blog interesting? Sharing beauty, information, inspiration, observations, funny stories? I’m hoping to be more attentive, more mindful, and more compassionate as I walk along the path this year. Last year I had dear Elizabeth with me, and I also had my torn meniscus pain – and ibuprofen. Going solo this year will make for a different walk! I hope you will read my blog occasionally – or check out my Facebook posts. Knowing other folks care about me back home really helps. We go away in search of something else and miss the dear ones and beautiful things we have under our noses. But it calls me and I must go.